Rajasthan ►Bikaner ►Bhandasar Jain Temple

The Bhandasar Jain Temple at Bikaner, dedicated to the 5th TirthankarSumatinath, was commissioned in 1468 by Bhandasa Oswal and was completed in 1514. A renowned mercantile citizen of the town named Bhanda Shah was assigned to construct the building and according to this the temple was named after him. It is believed that the temple was built by using more than forty barrels of ghee instead of mortar. Another tradition assume that the foundation of the temple building was filled by pure ghee and dry coconuts.

The temple is located in the surrounding of the Laxminath temple, which is one of the oldest temples of Bikaner (erected in 1488 CE), and in the immediate vicinity of a small Jain Haveli temple (Sandeshwar temple).

The building, which is made of red sandstone and white marble, is divided in three floors. Due to its exquisite interior, composed of rich mirror work, sculptural work, wall paintings and painted ceilings, the temple is of particular architectural and art historical interest.

The ground floor contains white marble pillars covered with colorful floral patterns and dancing maiden while the first floor is adorned with beautiful images of the Jain Tirthankars. A marble statue of Lord Sumatinath is placed on a silver throne inside a gold-plated marble canopy adorned with floral paintings.